Getting Googled


Being an opinionated blogger makes me thankful for my First Amendment rights. With the Internet it’s easier than ever to post all my random thoughts while also reading what people all over the world are thinking.

My readers wouldn’t label me a “hate-monger” or an anti-government radical. And even though I  occasionally rant about the government, I’m no Glenn Beck. Yet, something interesting happens every time I post a blog containing certain key words—I’ll get a Google alert notifying me that “someone” has checked me out.


Subject: Google Alert - Karen Farris Date: January 24, 2013 8:12:18 AM PST                                                                

I’m wondering who’s keeping track of my opinions.  At first I didn’t pay much attention to those alerts, but then I noticed that if I talked about the president or other world leaders, like Iran’s Ahmadinejad, I’d get Googled. Talk about politically sensitive subjects—and I get Googled. I’ve been Googled for gun control, pornography, congressional misdeeds, and for a blog mentioning the UN.  Armageddon and the Antichrist also elicited a Google alerts.

Is Google Big Brother? Or just working for him?

I’ve gotten used to the grocery store tracking my purchases and then getting coupons in the mail for those exact items. Facebook tracks me and so does Google when I research. Should I care?

Everything I’m writing, researching, buying, and doing on the Internet is being monitored. I’m no conspiracy theorist, but I’m willing to bet after I post this blog I'll get another Google alert.


Brave New World?  Or a brand new world? We're all in this together with someone keeping very good track of who we are or who they think we are. Either way, it's kind of creepy.

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